West Ham’s transfer future would appear—concerningly—to be in the hands of a Reading-born, German-based winger who’s unlikely to ever play for the Hammers.
If that sounds tenuous and convoluted, that’s because it is. But the player in question—Jamie Gittens—could be about to derail the Hammers’ entire transfer window.
It’s something of an open secret that West Ham must sell before we can buy this summer, and the main means of funding that business is the sale of Mohammed Kudus. So far, Kudus has rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, leaving Chelsea and Arsenal as the two most likely suitors.
And it’s a bidding war that West Ham desperately want. Arsenal’s initial enquiry is believed to have been around £50m—far too low for the Hammers’ liking. Chelsea have been sniffing around and offering players in part exchange, but London Stadium bosses are holding out for a full cash bid.
Kudus’ value has plummeted following West Ham’s poor season
Unfortunately, Chelsea appear to have had their heads turned, now pursuing Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens instead.
Sky Sports report that an initial £30m Chelsea bid for Gittens has already been rejected by the Bundesliga club, who are thought to be holding out for £40-50m. Negotiations are ongoing, and a new bid from the Blues is expected.
If that deal goes through, Chelsea are unlikely to continue their interest in Kudus—leaving Arsenal as the sole remaining option. That would put West Ham in the unenviable position of having to sell a prized asset at a bargain price just to kick-start our own summer business.
And let’s be honest, the sight of both Declan Rice and Mohammed Kudus in Arsenal shirts while West Ham get labelled a Gunners feeder club… that could be too much to bear.
If we don’t get what he’s worth keep him from is temporary all players go through them class on the other hand is permanent and kudus was showing signs last half dozen games as returning to form and I definitely don’t want arseole fans taking the piss rice was bad enough to stomach but giving kudus away is unforgivable
What a mess
We are so badly run it’s laughable… maybe the club needs contingency plan. Sell aguerd, mavrapanos, Emerson, Alvarez, Irving and guido for whatever we can get.. do our best to bring in Walker peters Egan Riley and brownhill on Free’s. bring in three younger more athletic pplayers 2 CM’s and LCB. Loan a keeper and striker. Hopefully we are in a better position next summer to strengthen again. Relying on sale of one player to make or break your transfer winds is Sullivan all over. He said when we moved to the Olympic stadium we would compete. Now we have no money and he won’t put money in. But wastes it on old players with no sell on on high wages. He needs to sell up. The game has moved on and he runs the club like it’s the 90’s.
The transfer window has been a long time coming with common agreement it’s a crucial one to rebuild the team virtually completely.
It seems so amateur if it is the case to hardly have a plan and that we cannot do anything unless we sell.
To be under pressure to sell at the start of the window guarantees low offers, why can’t the club borrow the money and reduce fees later in the window if necessary to pay it back?
This is the worst case scenario of ensuring low prices while targets disappear off to other clubs